Clever Puns.

Feeding the in-laws. Success.

Hitting up Yogurtland. (Scott promised he would take me tonight). He did.

Homework. Can't finish. ASU down. (Yessss.)

We celebrated our 26 months and two days of dating today.

To celebrate, I decided to tell Scott a list of all of the things about Scott that I am attracted to, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc... I began:

"I love your hands, they are so handsome!"

Then I realized the great pun I just created and couldn't stop laughing.

I thought I was hilarious. Scott thought I was ridiculous. (But deep down he loved it.)

I love that handsome bandsome boy/man.

"On this Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day"

I love Valentine's crafts and making Valentines. This year, my favorite crafts have been:

this:

and something like this:

and this:

It has been awesome. But even more awesome than Valentine crafts and treats is this guy:

He is My Valentine. And I love him.

Inspired.

I am just so fascinated by people. Everyone is so unique. Everyone has something different to contribute. I just listened to a commencement speech by Conan O'Brien. It was brilliant. Hilarious. He made the point that each person will always fail at becoming their heroes, but it is this failure that makes us unique. For example, in the 1940s, Jack Benny was a very funny comedian. Johnny Carson wanted to be like Jack Benny. But he couldn't be. His own quirks and personality made him different. And it is that failure to become Jack Benny and his own unique quirks that made him one of the funniest and most successful comedians of his generation. Years later, David Letterman came along and he wanted to be the next Johnny Carson. But he too failed at becoming his hero. And it is his unique quirks and failure to become the next Johnny Carson that made every comedian want to be the next David Lettermen. And so it goes.

Everyone is unique. For a purpose. It is inspiring.

"The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole." - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2008, General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

21!!!

This was such a fun birthday weekend. Scott made it very special. He did things with me that he doesn't love doing, but that I really enjoy. On Friday night, we went shopping at the Chandler mall and I got a shirt from J.Crew:

Saturday morning, he took me to the Botanical Gardens. We went early so it wasn't too hot and it was very nice just walking around the pretty desert-garden with my love. For brunch, we went to IHOP. I got crepes and hash browns (my favorites.)

Saturday night we had our adult session of General Conference. Surprisingly, it was really fun and so funny! It was also very spiritual. Elder Chai of the Seventy came and visited. He was hilarious! He asked the congregation in his Korean accent, "Do you know PMG?" He was referring to the Preach My Gospel manual. Then he said, "Did you know that Preach My Gospel is also Perfect Marriage Guidance?" After he said that, no one really knew how to respond, so the congregation was mostly quiet. Elder Chai said, "What? Do you not understand me? Is it my Korean accent? Or are you in shock?!" It was hilarious! Then, he had his wife come up to the microphone. He talked about when they first met. It was his first time attending her ward. She was very friendly and came up to him to say hi and welcome him. He thought, "Wow, this is a very cute girl and she is into me." Sister Chai just shook her head and held up two fingers in the shape of an "X" as if to say "WRONG!" It was soooo funny!

Then, he asked her questions and she answered candidly. For example:

Elder Chai: "Is your husband an ordinary man?"

Sister Chai: "What do you want me to say?"

E: "I don't want you to say what I want you to say. I want you to say what the Lord wants you to say."

...Lots of Laughing...

S: "My husband is a very ordinary man."

So funny! We loved it!

The adult session went late-we didn't get out until after nine. Afterwards, we went to PF Changs with Blake and Bethany. It was so good.

Sunday, my mom had us over for chicken tacos, brownies and fro-yo. My grandparents came too. It was great! On Tuesday, Scott's parents had us over for dinner. I can't remember what we ate for some reason, but I remember it was good. For dessert, she made these rich, chocolate cupcakes that tasted amazing. Chocolate is my fav.

It was a splendid birthday!

Botanical Garden Pics

A-S-U

Two Fridays ago, we went to the ASU vs. Missouri game. Typically, because I am not a huge sports fan, I show up late to games and leave early. I usually just go for the social aspect. But this time, because Scott is a huge sports fan, more specifically a huge ASU sports fan, we were in our seats before the game started and didn't leave until it was completely over. Scott was such a sweetheart and explained every play to me so I understood what was going on. I actually really enjoyed it! It was a very intense game. ASU won the game in overtime. At the moment of their victory, all the ASU fans were hugging and kissing and cheering. Scott hugged some random guy that had become our game buddy. It was crazy. Then, all us ASU fans turned around to the Missouri fans who had been obnoxiously rude the entire game and laughed in unison. It was epic.

The next night we went to BJ's for dinner with our friends Blake, Bethany, and Joel. I ordered a thin crust pizza and asked them to sub spinach instead of cheese. Not only did they charge me extra for the Spinach, but they totally failed on making the pizza. It was basically a round cracker with barely any sauce and about ten wilted pieces of Spinach on top. Rip off. But, we still had a good time with our friends.

After dinner, we decided to go to the two-dollar theater. We went outside-it was pouring. We ran into the theater and were completely soaked. Bethany and I tried to dry ourselves off under the hand-dryers in the bathroom, but we were still drenched. Luckily, the theater wasn't too freezing. We saw Super 8. It is really good! It is like a modern-day Goonies.

california!

Friday after work, Scott and I headed out to California. We stayed with my grandparents and had a very lazy, very enjoyable trip. We got to see some of my aunts, uncles and cousins including my new baby cousin Tova Dutch Verhagen. Welcome to the World Baby! I'm amazed by my aunt Melissa who was on bedrest since 14 weeks in order to bring this sweet baby safely into this world. Here are some pictures from the trip:

Good ole' Lucerne Valley

"A Town of Character(s)"

Scott and Me Standing in Grandparents Driveway

Tova Dutch Verhagen

Baby Tova, Me, and her big brother Taj

Oma, Opa, Megan

Barbara and Anthony Verhagen with their new grandson-in-law

Not only did they feed us five-course meals for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner,

but they sent us home with lots of food

including these various kinds of squash from their garden.

Thank you family for a wonderful trip!

Sick.Sick.Sick.

Since we've been married I have been sick about a million times (really only about seven times, but we have only been married 3 months as of yesterday and so, seven times is a lot.) This past week has been one of the worst sicknesses so far. It has caused me some of the worst pain I've ever felt. And it is dragging on-it started last Monday, and now here I am on Sunday, still hurting.

I feel bad for Scott because I am such a whiney, complainy, mean sick person. I don't know how Jesus did it. He suffered the sins and pains of the world, was whipped, crowned with thorns, mocked, spit on, forced to carry a heavy cross up a hill, and then nailed in the hands, feet, and wrists to that cross. And still, He thought of others. During this long night, He healed a soldier (Luke 22:50-51), comforted a thief on the cross next to Him (Luke 23:39-43), and asked one of His disciples to take care of His beloved mother (John 19:26-27). He did not act in anger or in frustration, but instead was brought "as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7 and Mosiah 14:7). I am amazed by the way that the Savior acted despite the emotional and physical pain He suffered. Picture on left by Del Parsons.

And here am I, in circumstances far less painful than that which the Savior suffered and yet I am very verbal about how I feel and speak unkindly and am easily annoyed and short-tempered. But despite my immature and un-Christlike behavior, I am still blessed undeservedly. My sweet husband gave me several priesthood blessings to help me be healed, my dad has provided me free health care, the other physician I saw was so helpful and affordable, and God has provided me with constant comfort and help by way of the Holy Ghost. God has also blessed me with my sweet husband who is thoughtful, generous and kind.

On Monday, (one of the worst sick days this week) Scott

ran to the store to get some toilet paper. He came back with my favorite brand of toilet paper (which we never buy due to the cost), Twizzlers (one of my favorite treats), and gum (I always want to buy it, but don't to save money). Saturday was another

really painful day. Scott ran to the store to buy some cranberry juice for me and did all the grocery shopping. To top it off, he got me a Godiva dark chocolate candy bar-another one of my very favorite treats. He knows me so well and really takes care of me-from running up and downstairs about a hundred times a day getting me water and food and whatever else I ask for, to praying for me and kissing me and not getting angry when I wake him up multiple times a night or for cuddling with him when he is trying to sleep. I am so grateful and very very blessed.